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2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

JohnsonsJerseys said:
Weekend Preview - [Michigan Tech Huskies] vs [Bye]

Obviously this is a huge weekend for the [Michigan Tech Huskies]. They really need to step up and prevent the other teams in the conference from getting points. First and foremost they need to practice with intensity. They should be able limit stupid penalties as the coaches are going without refs at practice this week. The ref's were not adding much value anyway as they've stopped calling obstruction since the crack-down ended back in week four. Defensive turnovers are also going to be key. I hear the coaching staff likes the guys to bring in apple and cherry during off weeks.
Special teams play should be much improved as the #1 PP unit will be going against a rag-tag PK unit of leftovers as the star players can't fill two roles as once. I heard the equipment staff does plan on leaving the goaltender gear out to dry after practice and the dry gear each day should make the goaltender more consistent. In short, the team needs to increase their effort, intensity, show some heart and hope everyone else forfeits their games if they hope to gain ground in the standings this weekend. Go [Huskies]!
Ryan
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Bye is going to busy next weekend with Bemidji, Huntsville, Tech and Bowling Green all on their schedule, just in the WCHA. :eek:
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Anybody know how much parking will set me back at Ferris? I'm heading up to Big Rapids for UAA v. FSU this weekend and am trying to figure out the budget thing.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Looking forward to the next weeks. I just wish our league could have won more non conference games. We had a lot of 1 goal games and we just needed more wins.

I gotta say there is no team in college hockey that has as good a combination as Ferris with Mackin and Mahew. those guys are real good in very tight quarters.
 
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Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Some interesting things going on in other leagues next weekend. for instance, If UND loses both ends to uno I have them out of the tournament. St cloud with two losses to Denver, has them on the fence at 14. If Canisius loses to Mercyhurst in their one game, they would drop down below the top WCHA teams. I also have BC most likely out unless they go on a run.
I think it would be great to have UND host a tournament game in fargo and not make it. To me the two teams playing the best hockey right now are Harvard and Minnesota.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Seeds as of now:
1-BSU
2-MTU
3-MSU
4-BGSU/FSU (Falcons have tiebreaker)
5-FSU/BGSU
6-UAF
7-LSSU/NMU (UAH cannot pass LSSU, who owns the A tiebreaker)
8-NMU/LSSU/UAH
9-UAH/NMU/LSSU
10-UAA

The 3-2-1-0 system appears to have dampened the standings ties, too.

I'll write more later.

GFM
 
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gfmorris said:
Seeds as of now:
1-BSU
2-MTU
3-MSU
4-BGSU/FSU (Falcons have tiebreaker)
5-FSU/BGSU
6-UAF
7-LSSU/NMU (UAH cannot pass LSSU, who owns the A tiebreaker)
8-NMU/LSSU/UAH
9-UAH/NMU/LSSU
10-UAA

The 3-2-1-0 system appears to have dampened the standings ties, too.

I'll write more later.

GFM
Click to expand...
It would appear the 3-2-1-0 system also kept things interesting at the bottom of the standings.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

gfmorris said:
Seeds as of now:
1-BSU
2-MTU
3-MSU
4-BGSU/FSU (Falcons have tiebreaker)
5-FSU/BGSU
6-UAF
7-LSSU/NMU (UAH cannot pass LSSU, who owns the A tiebreaker)
8-NMU/LSSU/UAH
9-UAH/NMU/LSSU
10-UAA

The 3-2-1-0 system appears to have dampened the standings ties, too.

I'll write more later.

GFM
Click to expand...

UAH can get the 7th seed if LSSU, NMU, and UAH finish in a 3-way tie with 33 points (UAH would have the B tiebreaker for conference wins). This is the only way LSSU doesn't get in.

Right now UAH is on the outside looking in because the Chargers couldn't win one of those after-OT mini games (3-on-3 OT/shootout). Under the old system, UAH would currently hold the 8th spot and NMU 9th. I get why they changed it, and it is what it is, but it's hard for me to like it right now.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Jimjamesak said:
It would appear the 3-2-1-0 system also kept things interesting at the bottom of the standings.
Click to expand...

If I have time this week — and I haven't in the last few weeks — I'll look at what the standings would be like with 2-1-0. Or someone can do it instead of me, no big.

GFM
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

gfmorris said:
If I have time this week — and I haven't in the last few weeks — I'll look at what the standings would be like with 2-1-0. Or someone can do it instead of me, no big.

GFM
Click to expand...

Just ignore the 3/SW column:

1. BSU 42 pts (20-6-2)
2. MTU 36 pts (15-7-6)
3. MSU 34 pts (15-9-4)
4. BGSU 29 pts (14-13-1)
5. FSU 28 pts (12-12-4)
6. UAF 26 pts (11-13-4)
7. NMU 23 pts (10-15-3)
8. LSSU 23 pts (8-13-7)
9. UAH 21 pts (9-16-3)
10. UAA 18 pts (6-16-6)

The only difference is that NMU would have been the 7 seed and LSSU would have been the 8 seed (based on the B tiebreaker for conference wins). The Lakers got a boost by winning three more points in 3x3 OT/shootouts than the Wildcats.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Is it me, or is it a sad indictment on the conference this year that the league's leading scorer only had 30 points on the year?
 
Bale said:
I'd say it's an indictment on the style of play that the majority of the league plays.
Click to expand...
Or it could that there are more quality defenseman and goaltenders than high end forwards. The league shift has had a negative effect on recruiting the top end players across the league.
 
davyd83 said:
Or it could that there are more quality defenseman and goaltenders than high end forwards. The league shift has had a negative effect on recruiting the top end players across the league.
Click to expand...

No WCHA team had a player with more than 40 points on the season (non conference included). Mankato is the only team that had two guys with over 30 points. Most WCHA teams accomplished scoring by committee this year.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Squarebanks said:
No WCHA team had a player with more than 40 points on the season (non conference included). Mankato is the only team that had two guys with over 30 points. Most WCHA teams accomplished scoring by committee this year.
Click to expand...

Some teams accomplished scoring as an optional objective.
 
davyd83 said:
Or it could that there are more quality defenseman and goaltenders than high end forwards. The league shift has had a negative effect on recruiting the top end players across the league.
Click to expand...

Admittedly,I'm just considering MSU in this, but the high end nature of our forwards came out in the non conference. From what I've seen its style over quality of defensemen/goaltenders. It's a slow, plodding style with a ton of obstruction, holding and interference.

I'd argue that's part of what caused the wretched non conference record for the conference. Teams got out of the conference, weren't able to play that way, and the results showed it.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Bale said:
Admittedly,I'm just considering MSU in this, but the high end nature of our forwards came out in the non conference. From what I've seen its style over quality of defensemen/goaltenders. It's a slow, plodding style with a ton of obstruction, holding and interference.

I'd argue that's part of what caused the wretched non conference record for the conference. Teams got out of the conference, weren't able to play that way, and the results showed it.
Click to expand...

I agree. I watched the MSU v BSU series this weekend and what I saw was a slightly below average team with strong goaltending interfere any chance they got to slow down the slightly above average team with questionable goaltending. Although the 20+ penalties in the opening game of the year was annoying it was better than watching what I saw this weekend.
 
ATC Trainer said:
I agree. I watched the MSU v BSU series this weekend and what I saw was a slightly below average team with strong goaltending interfere any chance they got to slow down the slightly above average team with questionable goaltending. Although the 20+ penalties in the opening game of the year was annoying it was better than watching what I saw this weekend.
Click to expand...

That's almost a perfect description of what my thoughts on the league is.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

davyd83 said:
Or it could that there are more quality defenseman and goaltenders than high end forwards. The league shift has had a negative effect on recruiting the top end players across the league.
Click to expand...

The non-conference numbers defy this. If someone like BSU really had high quality defense and goaltending, it would show up in non-conference wins and shutouts. Instead, they went 0-7-1, and while only giving up 1.57 goal/game in WCHA play, they gave up 3 a game (24 in 8) in non-conference. I'm not saying they don't have quality goaltending and defense, but let's not kid ourselves, it's not THAT good. The rest of the league is similar: Only Ferris (2.3), Tech (2.7), and Kato (2.8) held non-conference foes to under 3 goals a game. Where were the quality defenders and goaltenders in the nonconference games?

As you note, where this really becomes an issue is recruiting. Try to sell a high level recruit with, "Hey, you should come play in a conference where nobody scores, and the style of play -while frustrating and physically taxing- won't prepare you for anything at any other level. You ready to sign up?"
 
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